US Enacts Sweeping Housing Reform: 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
On July 11, 2026, the United States enacted the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act aimed at transforming housing policies. This pivotal legislation modernizes federal housing frameworks, enhances financing avenues, allocates grants, and addresses regulatory hurdles, including curbing ownership concentration. Innovative initiatives include a pilot program for small-dollar mortgages and refreshed standards for manufactured homes, along with plans for adapting vacant commercial properties into affordable housing. Notably, companies owning more than 350 single-family residences are restricted from further acquisitions. This bipartisan effort consolidates 40-60 proposals and stems from earlier discussions in December 2025. Global housing initiatives are also highlighted.
Key facts
- The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became law on 11 July 2026.
- It is the most significant US housing measure since the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990.
- The bill was introduced in the House on 11 December 2025.
- It limits companies owning over 350 single-family homes from purchasing additional existing ones.
- A pilot program for small-dollar mortgages is established.
- Lending standards for manufactured homes are updated.
- The law reforms HUD programs including RAD, CDBG-DR, and MTW.
- Architectural projects by MVRDV, Studio Libeskind, and ORGA address housing shortages.
Entities
Institutions
- United States Senate
- House of Representatives
- Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
- Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)
- Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR)
- Moving to Work (MTW)
- MVRDV
- Studio Libeskind
- HJ Design Partners
- SAMOO Architects & Engineers
- ORGA
- Alexander Gorlin Architects
- Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects
- The Office of Charles F. Bloszies
Locations
- United States
- New York
- Dubai
- Seoul
- South Korea
- Marknesse